1900
Yarmouth – The crews of the Scotch fishing-boats that have returned home express themselves as well satisfied with the results of their East Coast herring voyage. The highest earnings by the boats from the Fife coast were taken by the Vanguard, of Cellardyke, which had over £600. ‘The Burghead boats average £450, and several have between £6OO and £7OO. The Arbroath boats also report that they have done well at Yarmouth.
THE HARBOUR IMPROVEMENT FUND CONCERTS. The first of a series of entertainments for Cellardyke Harbour Fund was held in the Town Hall, Cellardyke, last Friday, when a most enjoyable evening was spent. The Hall was crowded to its utmost, and Mr Robert Melville, occupied the chair. A first rate programme was gone through. Solos were sung by Misses Hepburn and Rennie, and by Messrs Harris and Wood— Miss Mary Melville being the accompanist. The comic songs sung by Mr Harris took exceptionally well, and he had on both occasions to respond to encores. Mr Alex. Watson also contributed two violin solos in his usual efficient manner. A humorous reading was given by Mr James Fortune, and the two recitations by Mr Peter Smith. was listened to with great interest. Encores were demanded from all the performers, and a most successful and enjoyable entertainment was brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem. Judging from the enthusiasm displayed by the audience and from the large numbers present, it augurs well for the future meetings of this class, which are to be held every Friday evening through the winter.
About nine o’clock on Monday morning, while the wife of one of the ploughmen on the farm of Caiplie was walking along the sea beach, she came across a pint bottle which had been washed in. Noticing a slip of paper inside, she tried to pull it out, but failed. Breaking the bottle she found a slip of paper, on which were the words–“On board the yacht Syndicate, 17th August 1900, of Gosport. All hope gone with the whisky. Finder to report.” The rest of the writing was undecipherable. The paper was handed over to the Coastguards at Anstruther and sent by them to the Receiver of Wrecks at Burntisland. The message is regarded as a hoax.
The following has been sent to us from Australia:—The Bass Straits Holiness Mission ship is the ‘Earl of Hopetoun,’ whose builder, owner and Captain, is Alexander Cunningham, eldest son of the late Robert Cunningham (Baxter), deep sea fisherman, Cellardyke, and grandson of the late Alexander Cunningham, Trinity House. (Kings branch), pilot, Cellardyke. Captain Alex. Cunningham had high training in mechanical skill by the late John Millar, St Monans. He holds the Trinity House (Kings Branch) pilot, and Board of Trade Masters Certificates, and has a Captain’s Commission, from the American Holiness Mission Union Headquarters, Cincinnati, Ohio. His Holiness course of two years was given him by the evangelist, Mr James Auld, an Edinburgh gentleman, and belonging to the American Holiness Union. The Captain’s mission with his vessel is to carry the tidings of great joy to those that are afar off on the remote Islands, of the Southern seas, in giving the Holiness paper ‘Revivalist and other American Holiness books, booklets awl papers, to all people that is possible to be reached.
On Friday afternoon Mr Fulton (Pittenweem) launched from his building yard a large sailing liner built to the order of Skipper John Watson (Salter), Cellardyke. The craft, which is named the Pride o’ Fife, is 68 feet in length of keel, and for design or finish has few compeers. Fitted internally in the most modern style, both for trade requirements and for the comfort of her crew, she is also to have the new indispensable steam winch for hauling in of gear, Ac. When her outfit is complete, she is to start to the ensuing winter herring fishing.
1901
The Yarmouth Mercury of last Saturday has the following:—Our readers will recollect that in October last a Scotchman named James Patterson Wallace, of Cellardyke, Anstruther, one of the crew of the fishing lugger K Y. 130, Morning Star, performed a particularly gallant deed in the harbour. A boy of the name of Arger fell into the river and was in imminent peril of drowning being drawn under a steamer’s bottom when Wallace—whose very name is an inspiration to bravery—promptly plunged in. Although encumbered by his heavy sea clothing and big boots he was able to rescue the lad in an unconscious state and bring him to safety, when he was soon brought round. The case was taken up by Mr L. P. Fenner, whose firm were salesmen for the Morning Star, and by Mr A. T. Dawson, the Conservative agent, who acted as secretary, and by taking his usual pains, brought the matter to a satisfactory issue. The Royal Humane Society recognised the act of bravery by awarding their vellum certificate, while a private subscription was opened by means of which Wallace will become the recipient of a five-guinea silver hunter watch, inscribed with details of his achieve- Went. These awards were to have been presented at the Police court by the Mayor on Monday morning, but the intended recipient did not put in an appearance. Mr Fenner explained that the reason was that hi% boat had sailed for home. No doubt, finding the wind favourable on Sunday. the crew did not miss the opportunity of sailing. The Mayor suggested that under the circumstances it would be better to send the awards on to the Provost or Bailie at Wallace’s home, to present them to him.
Letter – RESCUE FROM DROWNING AT GREAT YARMOUTH.
Sir—Now that Skipper Thomas Smith and crew of the fishing boat Morning Star have safely returned to Cellardyke, I would be thankful if you will allow me through your columns to express my thanks to James Paterson Wallace, who gallantly saved my little boy from drowning in Yarmouth harbour on October 16th 1901. I am pleased to see that the Royal Humane Society have awarded him their vellum certificate which he so well deserves, while some admirers of his brave act have subscribed and bought a watch inscribed with the details of the rescue to be presented to him with the certificate. I have also to thank Skipper Thomas Smith and the rest of the crew who so ably seconded Wallace’s act, for, had they not immediately started resuscitating him, I no doubt he would not be living now, for he was to all appearances dead, and it was some time before their efforts were crowned with success. All praise is due to them for their exertions and kindness. This is an example of the value of knowing the methods of resuscitating the apparently drowned. but which very few trouble to learn. Not knowing when or where the presentation will be made, I have taken this opportunity of publicly expressing my thanks to them all. Apologising for taking up your valuable space, and thanking you in anticipation, I beg to remain. Yours truly, ARTHUR J. ARGER, 2 Excelsior Terrace, Southtown. Great Yarmouth.
There was launched from the building yard of Mr Miller, Anstruther, yesterday, a first class fishing boat built to the order of Messrs Pratt and Murray, Cellardyke. The launch was successfully accomplished, the craft as she slid into the water being named the Shamrock by the youngest daughter of Mr Pratt, one of the owners. She is a splendid model, being 67 feet in length, 21 feet broad, and 9 feet in depth. The boat is to be fitted with all the latest improvements in this class of boat, including a Portsoy Steam Capstan and boiler. Mr Miller is to lay down another keel shortly for Mr David Brown, Cellardyke.
A model small boat race was to have taken at Cellardyke yesterday afternoon among the fishermen but, the wind having died away, the race was postponed until the New Year.